Patron Perspectives 2024/25: Importance of Digital for Growth Experience

This blog series brings together sector reflections from our Patron network – leaders who play an active role in shaping Kingston’s economy and supporting its business community.

Each piece was first published in our 2024/25 Impact Report, where we asked: what’s changed over the past year – and what’s likely to shape what’s next?

The result is a collection of expert, actionable editorials. Throughout this series you’ll find perspectives on housing, education, digital experience professional services and more, reflecting the challenges and opportunities shaping Kingston’s economy.

IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL FOR GROWTH EXPERIENCE

As the CEO and co-founder of a digital innovation agency in Kingston, I understand the whirlwind that business leaders are navigating. You’re striving for growth, aiming for measurable results, and working tirelessly to connect with customers in meaningful ways, all while trying to keep on top of emerging tech and constantly evolving AI.

However, within this complexity lies immense opportunity, and we’re here to help Kingston SMEs. How do you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters?

At 7DOTS, we believe that business success strategically combines technology with creativity.  It’s a virtuous circle where insights fuel innovation that drives impact, and those results provide deeper insights to fuel greater innovation and impact. Here are seven actionable insights to help Kingston SMEs:

PRIORITISE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

We are in the experience age, so your customers’ interactions with your brand are essential. For example, we partnered with Miller Insurance to streamline their digital presence and enhance user journeys. We redesigned their brand and underpinned it with the best technology to create seamless, valuable and memorable experiences at every touchpoint.

DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS, HUMAN-CENTRIC APPROACH

Data provides invaluable insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and pain points. When you view this through a human lens, you can understand motivations for decision-making. We work with clients to understand their operational challenges and develop digital solutions that address their needs and exceed expectations.

CONSIDER INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION
AI isn’t about replacing human connection: it’s about augmenting it. Intelligent automation can streamline repetitive tasks, personalise customer interactions, and unlock valuable insights from your data.

FUTURE-PROOF YOUR FOUNDATIONS

The digital landscape will continue to evolve rapidly. Building a flexible and scalable digital infrastructure is crucial. This means investing in technologies and platforms that can adapt to future changes and integrate into existing infrastructure and architecture.

CREATE CONTENT THAT CONNECTS

In a world saturated with information, your insights should be authentic and valuable. It’s about understanding your audience’s needs and providing them with information that educates, entertains, and enlightens, moving them through their journey, adding value at each step of the way.

MEASURE WHAT MATTERS

Vanity metrics won’t drive growth. Focus on identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) that directly correlate with your business objectives. Track, analyse, and refine based on these metrics to ensure your digital efforts are delivering tangible return on investment (ROI).

FOSTER A CULTURE OF DIGITAL INNOVATION

Digital transformation isn’t a one-time project: it’s an ongoing journey. Encourage a mindset of experimentation, learning, and adaptation within your organisation. Empower your team to explore new technologies and approaches to test and innovate, gaining actionable insights at each iteration.

SUMMARY

As businesses navigate these evolving times, we feel that the key to digital success lies in the intersection of technology, strategy and creativity, all driven by a deep understanding of your client. By prioritising these seven areas, you can move beyond the noise, to build meaningful connections that drive sustainable growth.

We’re here in Kingston to help you on that journey. If you’d like a chat, let’s connect…

www.7dots.com